There is nothing more comforting than a cuddly stuffie, or a soft cuddly blanket. These comfort objects are there when one is young and although the need for comfort often diminishes as children grew up and get involved in baseball, painting, or just growing up and making new friends, the stuffie will always be close by. One never knows when the need for a cuddle will arise -- and knowing that the stuffie will always be there is a comfort in itself.
A great new book celebrates the exalted position of the stuffie. Jennifer Black Reinhardt's 2021 book, features a young boy who has a loving connection to his green dinosaur stuffie but as with most stuffies or comfort blankets the need outgrows the need for a constant presence. What does not go away is the comfort in knowing that the stuffie or blanket is close by in case a cuddle IS needed.
- Invite children to draw a picture of their stuffie - and include themselves if they wish (the cover of Always By My Side will be a great mentor illustration).
- Encourage discussion about the stuffie and what the stuffie means to them.
- Writing - suggestions
- Write a paragraph telling about the most memorable moment event that included your stuffie.
- How did you come to get your stuffie, from whom, why, and a few brief memories - write a brief biography of your stuffie and you.
- Create a graphic novel that shows/tells about a time when your stuffie was there for you.
- On a scale of 1-10 (one being needing the stuffie with you most of the day to 10 where the stuffie (and you) are content to have the stuffie sitting on a shelf, or on a chair waiting for you to cuddle them -- what is your number relationship with your stuffie right now? Explain how that came about.
- For older readers/writers: Compare/contrast your own relationship with your stuffie to the relationship the two boys have with the green and pink-polka dotted companion and lion cub stuffie. Is there a stuffie on your shelf awaiting a cuddle some time in the future.
- Read some other books about comfort pals.
- Tony Baloney by Pam Muñoz Ryan (Scholastic, 2011).
- Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber (Houghton Mifflin, 1973).
- Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems (Hyperion, 2004).
- Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems (Hyperion, 2007).
- Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems (Hyperion, 2010).
- If possible, include a day when readers can bring their stuffies to share the classroom experience.
-----------------------------Green Frog Gifts -- unique gifts -- sewing and cooking and definitely some cuddly blankets and stuffies.
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